India on Tuesday slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its statement on Ram Navami violence in the country, calling it "communal mindset" and "anti-India" agenda.
"We strongly condemn the statement issued by OIC Secretariat today regarding India. This is one more example of their communal mindset and anti-India agenda," external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
India's sharp reaction came after the OIC secretariat, in a statement, alleged that the Muslim community was being targeted in several states in India during Ram Navami processions.
"The OIC only does its reputation damage by being consistently manipulated by anti-India forces," the MEA spokesperson added.
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Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh were among the states marred by communal clashes and violence amid Ram Navami festivities. Men with swords and ‘trishuls’ were seen marching the streets as mosques and madrasas were attacked, vehicles were torched and stones were pelted in many areas.
At least 14 devotees were killed in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and clashes and arson in some parts of the country.
Meanwhile, a Hindu organisation has moved the Supreme Court seeking the registration of FIRs in recent incidents of violence on Ram Navami in different parts of the country.
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NGO Hindu Front for Justice moved a petition seeking protection for Hindu religious processions taken out on Ram Navami or other such occasions. The plea comes after the top court’s stark criticism of states not being able to take due action over hate speeches, calling them "impotent and powerless".
